CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Push to Continue Closure of Eastern Market 7^th Street Gains Momentum

by Larry Janezich

The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) seems poised to recommend to the city that both the 200 and 300 blocks of 7th Street remain closed to weekend car traffic.  Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen has already gone on record in support of the closure.  Eastern Market Main Street – the 7^th Street business organization – sent a letter to the city earlier this summer endorsing the closure.  And an analysis of the 55 emails sent to EMCAC regarding the status of the 300 block of 7th Street, SE, received between August 9 and September 6, reveals considerable neighborhood support for continued closure of the block to vehicular traffic on weekends.  Of the 55 emails received during the four week period, 49 supported keeping the street closed, while 6 urged reopening the block to traffic.

EMCAC – charged by statute to review and comment on retailing on public property in and around Eastern Market – will vote on Tuesday, September 19, at its September meeting, on a carefully crafted recommendation to continue the street closure with additional language that attempts to address the concerns of the various stakeholders.   (The meeting will be at 7:00pm, in the North Hall of Eastern Market.)

EMCAC’s support for the closure is contingent on the Eastern Market Manager establishing a validated parking location and possibly establishing a delivery service for South Hall merchants to alleviate issues arising out of lack of customer parking.  The most vocal opponents of continued closure of both the 200 and 300 blocks have been the South Hall food merchants, largely based on their perception that the lack of parking is responsible for the decline in the food business in the South Hall.

One way the lack of parking could be addressed is by Eastern Market subsidizing validated parking for a number of spaces in the Colonial Parking lot right across C Street from the Market ($8 a day on Saturday and Sunday).  There are also 193 paid public parking spaces in the Hine Project, 50 of which will be reserved for vendor’s vehicles at 50% of the daily rate (yet to be established).  That would leave 143 spaces for paid public parking.

Ongoing city-sponsored appraisals of retail spaces in and around Eastern Market to satisfy the statutory requirement that rents will be at or near market value would seem to guarantee an increase in market revenue, necessary not only for market maintenance, but also to assist in marketing and promotion to keep the Market competitive (read Whole Foods, Union Market, Trader Joe’s).  The likely increase in rent for the South Hall merchants and outside vendors would be more palatable if part of the increase is used for a parking subsidy.

The other major consideration in the event of continued closure is what will happen to the 300 block of 7th after the weekend flea markets move to the newly reopened (but private) C Street between the north and south buildings of the Hine project?  The move is currently expected in mid-October.

EMCAC Chair Donna Scheeder says, “If the street remains closed, it cannot possibly be under the same conditions as it now,” citing safety, economics, unified market management, and competition between vendors and the brick and mortar retail outlets on the 300 block.

The EMCAC proposal addresses this concern by recommending that any usage of the 300 block not be determined until there is a stakeholders’ meeting from a broad array of community organizations, including the ANC6B, DDOT, DGS, Stanton-Eastbanc, Eastern Market Main Street, Market Row Merchants, and that there be no request for bids regarding usage of the 300 block until a strategy is developed for best use and value to the market and the community – possibly by an organization such as the Project for Public Space.  Coupled with that, is a likely stipulation that any temporary usage of 7th Street between the moving of the flea market to C Street in mid to late October and the enactment of any recommendation arising out of a study, will require joint approval of EMCAC and the Eastern Market Manager.

It appears that Eastern Market and DGS anticipates keeping the 300 block closed through the middle of next summer, and according to some sources, a permit for closure has been issued and payment to the city for lost parking revenue for the 200 and 300 blocks has already been made, or is in the works.

ANC6B will consider a recommendation to close the street expected to be proposed by Commissioner Diane Hoskins at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, September 12, at 7:00pm in Hill Center.  The matter is scheduled to come up near the end of the meeting and is not likely to be voted on that night.

The Week Ahead…

by Larry Janezich

Monday, September 11

1. ANC6D meets at 7:00pm, 1100 4^th Street, SW, 2^nd

Among items on the draft agenda:

Public Safety Report- First District MPD (PSA 105 & PSA 106) Lt. Robinson, Lt. Black.

100 K Street, SE – Zoning Application for Special Exception from GH Group.

L’Enfant Plaza/International Spy Museum – Public Space Application for Street Planter Boxes.

Chipotle Mexican Grill – Public Space Application for Sidewalk Café.

RASA, 1242 1st St, SE – new restaurant liquor license.

ROTI, 1251 1st St, SE: new liquor license.

Potomac Distilling, 1130 Maine Avenue, SW: new CT distillery license.

Chloe, 1331 4th Street, SE: new restaurant liquor license.

Potomac Riverboat, Alexandria, VA: DX Marine Vessels – new restaurant liquor license.

Homewood Suites, 50 M Street,SE:  modification to restaurant liquor license.

Anchor, 709 Wharf St, SW: new Class B food market w/marine supplies + tastings .

1215 Carrollsburg Place, SW – Zoning application for Special Exception/Variance.

1550 First Street, SW – Zoning Application for Design Review.

1900 Half Street, SW – Zoning Application for Design Review, Modification of Significance.

1000 South Capitol Street, SE – Zoning Application for Special Exception/Variance.

25 M Street, SE – Zoning Application for Modification of Consequence.

2. ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meets at 7:00pm, at Kaiser Permanente, 700 2nd Street, NE.

Agenda:

600 H Street, NE, new restaurant license application from VSTDC,LLC d/b/a V Street.

Tuesday, September 12

ANC6B meets at 7:00pm, at Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the agenda:

Presentations:  Events DC presentation on updating the ANC regarding the development of RFK Stadium site.

Letter to DDOT re: WGL’s work on Browns Court, SE, in the Capitol Hill Historic District.

602 E Street, SE: Historic Preservation Application to permit construction of new building at rear of lot.

622 C St., SE:  Historic Preservation Application re Concept/construct new rear two-story addition.

600 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE:  Historic Preservation Application re concept/installation of storefronts.

Letter to DDOT in support of the Pennsylvania Ave. Streetlight Upgrade Project.

SkillZone, 709 8th Street, SE:  New Retailer’s Class “D” Tavern License, Private Club w/ 70 seats, Total Occupancy of 174 person, “Members-Only” Social events for parents; Serve Beer & Wine Hours sought: Mon-Thur. 9 am – 6 pm; Fri & Sat. 9 am – 7:30 pm; Sun. 9 am – 7 pm No other endorsements.

Hanks on the Hill t/a Hanks Oyster Bar, 633 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Protest Withdraw.

220 2nd St., SE:  Zoning Adjustment re Lot Area Variance to add 13th apartment rental unit in basement of existing apartment house.

26 A Street, SE:  Historic Preservation Application re concept/new three-story side & rear additions.

226 Kentucky Ave., SE:  Historic Preservation Application re updated plans for 3rd Story addition to existing flat.

418-420 7th St., SE:  Historic Preservation Application re updated plans for proposed condo conversion.

400 D St., SE:  Historic Preservation application re updated plans to construct 5 new townhouses.

523 8th Street, SE (Ambar):  Historic Preservation Application for 3rd Story rooftop deck w/ Retractable Roof & Rear Addition.

Marine Barracks Washington Multiple Projects Programmatic Agreement.

Report out on follow up action from ANC 6B’s Special Call Meeting on the continued closure of 7th Street, SE.

Wednesday, September 13

POSTPONED UNTIL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19.  ANC 6C meets at 7:00pm at the Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Thursday, September 14

ANC6A meets at 7:00pm, Miner Elementary, 601 Fifteenth Street, NE.

1300 H St, NE:  Construction update – Brendan Whitsitt, Insight Property Group.

RFK Campus short-term redevelopment update – Events DC.

U.S. Attorney’s Office update – Doug Klein, Community Prosecutor.

Monument Academy – Emily Bloomfield.

Nomad Hookah Bar – Suggested Motion:  The ANC protest the request by Nomad Hookah Bar (1200 H Street, NE) for expanded sidewalk cafe hours unless the ABL Committee determines at its September 2017 meeting that a protest is not needed.  The reasons for protest may include non-compliance with existing Settlement Agreement, and impact to peace, order, and quiet.

1362 East Capitol Street  – Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter of support to BZA for a special exception from the rear yard requirements to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing one-family dwelling at 1362 East Capitol Street.

321 Twelfth (12th) Street, NE – Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter of support to BZA for a special exception from the lot occupancy requirements to construct a two-story rear addition at on condition that best efforts be made to get letters from support from the tenants at 1203 D Street NE, 1201 D Street, NE, and providing there is no light or air impact on the house behind the property at 321 Twelfth (12th) Street, NE.

237 Warren Street, NE –  Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter of support to BZA for a special exception from the rear yard requirement and the upper floor addition requirements to construct a rear and third-story addition at 237 Warren Street, NE, on condition that the applicants make best efforts to get letters of support from neighbors at 239, 232, 230, 234, 236 and 238 Warren Street, NE, and 228 Fourteenth (14th) Street, NE.

225 Tennessee Avenue, NE – Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter of support to BZA for a special exception from the rear yard requirements to construct a three-story rear addition at 225 Tennessee Avenue, NE on condition that the applicants make best efforts to get a letter of support from the neighbor at 223 Tennessee Avenue, NE.

Trader Joe’s of Capitol Hill Set to Open Friday, September 29 & Inside the Hine Project – A Photo Essay

by Larry Janezich

Stanton Development told some neighbors of the Hine Project this morning that the 11,000 square foot Trader Joe’s  would open on Friday, September 29.  Capitol Hill Corner subsequently confirmed with Trader Joe’s that it has set that tentative date for opening.  The store will be two levels below grade – beneath the Southeast corner of the project at 8^th and D Streets – in the building with the grey brick façade.

Also, last night, Eastern Market Mainstreet, headed by Manuel Cortes of GroovyDC, held a fundraiser “Hard Hats for Hine” to benefit the recently founded Mainstreet organization whose purpose is to “promote, retain, and attract diverse small businesses to the immediate area.”

The fundraiser featured a tour of a model two-bedroom apartment in the project’s residential Plaza Building at C and 7^th Street, and some of the commercial space on the 6^th and 7^th floors of the 160,000 square foot office building running the length of 7^th Street and wrapping around the corner and fronting on Pennsylvania Avenue.  There is a total of 61,000 square feet of retail, and Stanton Development partner Ken Golding told the Washington Business Journal’s Rebecca Cooper in June that he hoped to attract “a fitness user, a fast casual restaurant, a more formal sit-down restaurant, a nail or hair salon as well as a couple of other neighborhood-serving tenants.”  Washington Business Journal also reported that the developers were in talks with cosmetics retailer Sephora for retail space.  In addition, ANC6B negotiated the inclusion of a small day-care center on the first floor Southeast corner of the building as a community benefit during the PUD process, as well as a 150 square foot office on the second floor for itself at a lease rate of $1 a year – in perpetuity.  The Trader Joe’s will be underneath the day care center.  The Yard, out of New York city, providing coworking and private office space, will occupy a part of the office building’s second floor.  An Eastbanc representative said the company was in negotiations with law firms for space on the third and other floors.

Eastbanc has already announced that Trickling Springs Creamery, a Turkish linen shop – Antiochia, a veterinary hospital, and JRINK – a cold press fruit and vegetable juice bar, as four of the tenants who will open in the retail space of the North Building.  The creamery will sell ice cream, milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products, including milkshakes.  The veterinary hospital will be below grade in a 5,000 square foot space.

Last night’s tour included a model 1350 square foot two bedroom-two bath apartment in the residential portion of the South Building overlooking the newly reopened C Street and Plaza between the North and South Buildings that will rent for more than $6000 a month.  The Bozzuto Group – the residential manager – expects the first tenants to move in by the end of September.  The rents will range from $3270 per month for an 800 square foot one bedroom to $8720 a month for an 1800 square foot three bedroom, though according to a Bozzuto representative, the prices have not been finalized.  The residences along 8th Street will not be finished until late October.  There will be 160 residential units in the project.

Eastern Market Main Street’s Board of Directors:  Manuel Cortes, Chair; Mary Quillian Helms, Vice Chair; Terry McDonald, Treasurer; Lona Valmoro, Secretary; Mike Berman, Promotions Committee Chair; Loren Bushkar; Alex Golding, Economic Vitality Committee Chair; Shaun Marble, Barry Margeson; Sean Pichon, Design Committee Chair; Meg Shapiro.  For more, see:  www.easternmarketmainstreet.org

It Costs About $870,000 a Year to Run Eastern Market – Here’s Where It Comes From

By Larry Janezich

The restoration of Eastern Market after the catastrophic fire of 2007 came with the city’s expectation that the market would be self–sustaining.

Eastern Market is more than the building.  It comprises the original fresh food market in the South Hall; the event space in the North Hall; the Farmer’s Line under the shed on 7th Street; the arts and craft vendors on the north plaza, on 7th Street, and on the sidewalk next to the Market; and the prepared food vendors in front of the city swimming pool on North Carolina – The Rumsey Aquatic Center.  In the collective mind of the community, it also includes the Saturday and Sunday flea markets on the 300 block of 7th Street, operated separately from the Market by Managers Carol Wright and Michael Berman who pay rent to the city which is goes to Eastern Market.  All of these components provide the revenue stream which makes Eastern Market, owned by the city and managed by the Department of General Services, largely self-sustaining.

Achieving sustainability has meant changing the Market’s character to maximize income, as the market’s role as a food provider for the community has declined in the face of competition from other markets and as the changing demographics of the community and attitudes toward food preparation have changed. This change is reflected in the amounts of revenue derived from each component of the market.

Here’s how Eastern Market’s income breaks down for 2016 (DGS was shy about releasing Eastern Market’s annual expenditures):

Income                                                                   Budget                Actually received

South Hall Rent                                                    237,006                    226.993

Outside vendors and Farmer’s Line                 319,879                    319,752

North Hall                                                             209,574                     229,678

Application/Event Fees                                           2,489                         2,800

Flea Markets                                                              –                               48,000

ATM                                                                         70,348                        66,479

Total Income                                                        839,355                      893,702

According to Market Manager Barry Margeson, the Market produced a small surplus of around $25,000 over operating costs in 2016.  And, according to Margeson, the following rents applied in that year:

South Hall Merchants                          $26 – $40 per square foot annually

Farmer’s Line                                         $28 – $44 per day

North Plaza Arts/Crafts                        $28 per day

7^th Street Arts/Crafts                            $44 per day

Prepared Food Natatorium Plaza       $35 per day

Flea Markets                                           $2000 per month each

Some observations:  The outside arts and crafts vendors, the prepared food vendors, and Farmer’s Line provide more revenue than any other component.  Rentals of the North Hall provide almost as much revenue as the rents from the South Hall Merchants.  The ATM provides a surprising amount of income for the market – almost 7% of total income.  A close look seems to reveal that some of the South Hall food merchants were behind on their rent at the end of 2016.

When the flea markets move to the newly reopened C Street between the North and South Hine Project buildings, in a month or so, that income will be lost to the Market because the new C Street will be private, and those monies will go to Stanton-Eastbanc.  Mike Berman, manager of the Sunday flea market says he will be paying more to Stanton-Eastbanc than he is currently paying to Eastern Market, and will likely increase the cost of the spaces he leases to his vendors.  One source claims that the Saturday and Sunday flea markets currently charge almost double what Eastern Market charges its arts and craft vendors who set up on the 200 block of 7^th Street.

Eastern Market will have to make up the $24,000 shortfall in order to continue to be self-sustaining.  There are two ways to do this, first, keep the 300 block of 7^th Street closed to traffic and put out bids for flea market managers or other programmers to lease the space on weekends.  Or Eastern Market could increase the rents for the other entities which comprise Eastern Market.  Or both

To that end, DGS has commissioned an outside appraiser to determine the value of the spaces occupied by the South Hall Merchants, as well as the spaces on the 300 block of 7^th Street.  The appraisals are necessary to satisfy the statutory requirement that rents reflect fair market rents.   Another appraisal of the value of the space around Eastern Market occupied by the various vendors, farmers, and prepared food outlets is in the works.

Eastern Market faces challenges in the face of increasing competition and will need additional funding beyond sustainability for marketing and promotion.

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, September 6, at 7:00pm in the North Hall to make a recommendation on whether to continue closing the 200 and 300 block of 7^th Street to traffic on weekends.  It is likely that EMCAC will consider matters related to the appraisal of the space in the South Hall at its regular monthly meeting on September 19 at 7:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market.

The Week Ahead…. & The Man in the Green Hat’s House Is For Sale

“George L. Cassiday, Sr. (1892–1967) was one of the leading Congressional bootleggers during National Prohibition. Known as “the man in the green hat,” he sold liquor for ten years to congressmen and senators. In October 1930, he came forward and told his story in six front-page articles in the Washington Post. The articles pointed out Congressional hypocrisy and made the public even more jaded about Prohibition. His admission made both national news and an impact on the midterm Congressional elections just a week later.”  Wikipedia

The Week Ahead…

Monday, September 4

Labor Day.  No trash or recycling pick up until the following day.  No parking enforcement.

Tuesday, September 5

1. ANC6B Planning & Zoning Committee meets at 7:00pm at St. Coletta’s, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE.
   Among items on the agenda:

Public Space Application for Emergency Utility Work on Brown’s Court in the Capitol Hill Historic District.

Public Space Application for the installation of exterior lighting at Barrel, 613 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE in the Capitol Hill Historic District.

220 2^nd Street, S.E., Lot Area Variance to add 13^th apartment rental unit in basement of existing 12 unit apartment house.

602 E Street, S.E. Permit/construction of new building at rear of lot.

622 C Street, S.E. Concept/construct new rear two-story addition; Architect: Jennifer Fowler [02];

326 A Street, S.E., Concept/new three-story side & rear additions.

600 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E. Concept/installation of storefronts.

226 Kentucky Avenue, S.E. Updated plans for 3^rd story addition to existing flat.

418-420 7th Street, S.E. Updated plans for proposed condo conversion.

400 D Street, S.E. Updated plans to construct 5 new townhouses.

523 8th Street, S.E. 3rd Story rooftop deck w/ Retractable Roof & Rear Addition.

2. ANC 6C Parks and Events Committee meets at 7:00pm at Kaiser-Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center (700 2nd Street, N.E.

Among items on the draft agenda:

NoMa Parks – Update from NoMa Parks Foundation concerning the status of NoMa parks projects.

D.C. Services & Neighborhood Issues – Discussion with Councilmember Charles Allen’s office regarding neighborhood issues and D.C. services, including responsiveness of city agencies to matters involving or impacting parks and public spaces.  Representative: Naomi Mitchell, Community Liaison, Office of Councilmember Charles Allen.

3. CHRS Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:3ppm, Kirby House, 420 10^th street, SE.

Wednesday, September 6

1. ANC6B Transportation Committee meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Among items on the agenda:

Update on Implementation of Changes to Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, traffic signals.

Update on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Lighting Project.

Discussion on Resident Only Permit Parking.

Daytime School Parking Zone Amendment Act of 2017.

2. ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 6:30pm in Northeast Library, 7^th and D Streets, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda:

626 Lexington Place, N.E. A special exception from the nonconforming structure requirements and a variance from the height requirements to construct a partial rooftop addition to an existing two-family flat.

10 3rd Street, N.E. Application for a special exception for an area variance from the minimum land area requirements to permit the conversion of an existing residential building existing prior to May 12, 1958 into an apartment house with three units and a roof deck in the RF-3 Zone.

434 4th Street, N.E. Application for permit approval for side and rooftop additions.

304-308 K Street, N.E. Application of 304, 306, 308 K Street NE, LLC, for special exceptions from the general penthouse regulations and from the penthouse setback requirements of for a variance from the minimum lot dimension requirements to subdivide two existing lots into three record lots and to construct three attached flats in the RF-1.

522½ K Street, N.E.  Application for a modification of significance to permit the addition of an accessory fast food establishment to an existing retail grocery store, expand the retail use to the basement, eliminate the restriction on operating hours, eliminate the cap on the number of employees, and eliminate the cap (currently zero) on customer seating in the RF-1 zone.

3. Special meeting of the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) at 7:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market. There will be one agenda item , consideration of an Advisory Report to The Department of General Services regarding the blocks of 7th street that are located in the Eastern Market Special Use District.

Thursday, September 7

1. ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee will meet at 7:00pm in Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.

Among items on the agenda:

507 K, LLC t/a SkillZone, 709 8th Street, S.E. New Retailer’s Class “D” Tavern License, Private Club w/ 70 seats, Total Occupancy of 174 person, “Members-Only” Social events for parents; Serve Beer & Wine Hours sought: Mon-Thur. 9:00am – 6:00pm; Fri & Sat. 9:00am – 7:30pm; Sun. 9:00am – 7:00pm.

Hanks on the Hill t/a Hanks Oyster Bar, 633 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Consideration of Withdrawing Standing Protest.

2. Police Service Area (PSA) 107 public meeting, 7:00pm, Southeast Library, lower level.

 

3. Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) meet at 5:30pm, Southeast Library, lower level.

 

4. Hard Hats at Hine, Eastern Market Main Street fundraiser – will provide an “exclusive, insider look at the new development at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., with food tastings from local restaurants, building tours, beer and wine, retail and service displays from neighborhood businesses, a photo booth, etc., in celebration of “all the history this corner has seen over the last 200 years!” All-inclusive tickets available here: easternmarketmainstreet.org/hard-hats

Saturday, September 9

1. Hill East Residents pitch in for a community litter cleanup. Meet at 9:00aminfront of the 7-Eleven on the corner of 15^th and Independence Avenue, S.E.  Litter bags and sanitary gloves will be provided. 7-Eleven Corporation and store manager Gursharan Singh will serve complimentary coffee and donuts. Volunteers will fan out on the surrounding streets for about an hour to pick up street trash.

The Week Ahead….ANC6B Special Meeting on Eastern Mkt  7^th St Closure  – City Officials On Hand for Questions

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, August 29

ANC 6B Special Call Meeting at 7:30pm at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

The ANC will consider the current law, Mayoral Order & Management Authority regarding the Eastern Market Special Use Area, especially questions regarding the continued closure of the 200 and 300 blocks of 7^th Street, SE.

Agenda:

1. Eastern Market Special Use Area:  Presentation & Discussion on current law, Mayoral Order & Management Authority; (30 minutes)

• Current agreements and management of the Special Use area (15 minutes)
• 200 block of 7th Street between North Carolina Ave and C Street, SE; 300 block of 7th Street C Street and Pennsylvania Ave., S: Community Input on keeping 7th Street closed (45 minutes)

2. Relevant and upcoming deadlines and needed action from the ANC, DC agencies (15 minutes)
3. Next Steps (15 minutes)
4. Adjourn

ANC 6B has invited a representative from the following agencies and offices to speak and answer community questions:

The DC Department of General Services (DGS)

DC Department of Transportation (DDOT)

The Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development (DMPED)

The Market Manager

Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC)

Councilmember Charles Allen

 

Update on the Illegal Third Floor Pop Up in the Capitol Hill Historic District

by Larry Janezich

In May, CHC reported that the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) had ordered the removal of a third floor addition to the town home at 231 10^th Street, SE.  http://bit.ly/2vte8q2

Since nothing appears to be happening three months later, CHC followed up with the Historic Preservation Office (HPO) regarding the status of the project.

An HPO representative responded:

“The applicant [Blue Star Design] applied for a DCRA building permit to remove the third floor and complete the work on 6/23/2017. The plans were routed to the necessary city agencies for their approval and comments, including HPO. A number of agencies have requested changes/clarifications and I imagine the applicant is working on address[ing] them.  In short, the applicant has applied for a DCRA permit but it has not been issued yet.”

The Week Ahead… & Whose Ox is Being Gored on Opening/Closing 7^th Street? – It’s Complicated

by Larry Janezich

The Week Ahead is Quiet.

And in Other News….

Whose Ox is Being Gored on Opening/Closing 7th Street? – It’s Complicated

by Larry Janezich

Last Tuesday night, the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee met in Eastern Market’s North Hall to continue receiving comment on whether the 200 and 300 blocks of 7^th Street should remain closed to weekend vehicular traffic.

It’s complicated.  It’s not just a simple matter of who will be helped or hurt by opening the street, but, rather, a question of whose ox is being gored.

The food merchants in Eastern Market’s South Hall predict the demise of the food market within ten years if measures are not taken to mitigate the lack of vehicular access to the market, including opening of 7^th Street to traffic on weekends.  Some of the most active voices on this issue are long-time merchants who have built product lines based on the desires of long term customers, many of whom no longer live in the neighborhood and must drive to the market.

The Eastern Market outside arts and crafts merchants who set up on the 200 block of 7^th outside Eastern Market see their livelihoods threatened if the street is open to traffic, which would result in their displacement and relocation to less trafficked areas.   Artist-vendor Joe Snyder says that appealing to the Hill’s new population is the only way forward and sees the controversy as symptomatic of “what trouble we’re having in reaching out to this new population”.

But those same arts and crafts vendors, while supporting the continued closure of 7^th Street, do not want to see additional flea market vendors occupying space on the 300 block of 7^th Street if the street remains closed to traffic.

A long time vendor on Eastern Market’s North Plaza says that her income has dropped precipitously because there are so many vendors siphoning the dollars of shoppers before they get to her jewelry stand at the north end of Eastern Market, and adding more vendors (if 7^th Street remains closed) will only make it more difficult.  That sentiment is shared by the arts and craft folk on the 200 block.

The managers of the two separate flea markets which set up on the 300 block of 7^th Street who are scheduled to move to the newly reopened C Street in the middle of the Hine Project want to continue to use the 300 block on 7^th Street after the move to restore the number of vendors they had when they were on the Hine playground.  (Ed. note: A previous version of this paragraph lead some readers to believe the flea market managers want to expand their markets beyond the original number rather than restore their original number of spaces.  For flea market manager Mike Berman’s response to that interpretation, see his comment below.)  They urge keeping the street closed, but  seem prepared to fight any attempt by Eastern Market and the Department of General Services to bring in other flea market managers to compete with their flea markets should the city decide to keep 7^th closed.  Expansion of the flea markets to include both C Street and the 300 block would not be welcomed by the vendors on the 200 block of 7^th.

And then there are those who urge not rushing a decision without knowing what the consequences will be.  Former EMCAC Chair Ellen Opper-Weiner says, “We can’t make a decision in a vacuum – there’s been no study, no evaluation.”  Community activist Bobbi Krengel said that the Project for Public Space (PPS) could do just such a study.  Krengel noted that “Eastern Market is a synergistic market and none of the components can exist by itself,” and that the most important component is the historic municipal market.

ANC6B Commissioner Diane Hoskins, in whose single member district the Market lies, had the final word at the meeting, saying that she was on the record supporting the continued closure of 7^th Street on weekends, adding, “…a lively open market is crucial to the success of all parts of the market.”  Capitol Hill Corner reported last week that Councilmember Charles Allen supports continued closure.

EMCAC Chair Donna Scheeder announced that the EMCAC’s record will remain open until Tuesday, August 22, for comments on 7^th Street.  Email donna_scheeder@comcast.net

ANC6B will meet at 7:30pm on Tuesday, August 29 in Hill Center, to allow residents and stakeholders a final opportunity to make public comments on the status of 7^th Street.

For previous postings on this issue, see here:  http://bit.ly/2uEMi9N

The Week Ahead & CM Charles Allen Will Not Support Re-opening 7th Street to Car Traffic on Weekends

The Week Ahead…

Tuesday, August 15

EMCAC will hold a second meeting to discuss the status of 7^th Street, at 7:00pm on Tuesday, August 15, in the North Hall of Eastern Market.  (ANC6B will consider the future of the 300 block of 7th Street, SE, at a special meeting on Tuesday, August 29th, 7:30pm at Hill Center.)

CM Charles Allen Will Not Support Re-opening 7^th Street to Car Traffic on Weekends

By Larry Janezich

Councilmember Charles Allen told Capitol Hill Corner, “I don’t support re-opening 7th Street to car traffic on weekends. The pedestrian plaza, community space, and temporary real estate for local small businesses created on weekends is a valuable part of the Eastern Market and Capitol Hill experience.”

The statement came shortly after a meeting on Saturday, hosted by the Executive Committee of Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC), to hear from residents on re-opening the street.  EMCAC Chair Donna Scheeder announced she had received 65 emails supporting one side of the other from people who could not attend today’s meeting. Email Scheeder here:  donna_scheeder@comcast.net

At Saturday’s meeting, attended by 25 interested parties, 16 stakeholders and residents spoke for or against re-opening 7^th Street, reiterating in person arguments reported previously on this blog: http://bit.ly/2uOmJT5 Also, it emerged during the meeting that several Eastern Market food service vendors had withdrawn their support for re-opening all of 7^th Street, reversing their position on a “position paper” circulated last week by Tommy Glasgow of Market Lunch, in support of re-opening.

In addition, some of the brick and mortar businesses on the 300 block of 7^th Street said they wanted a better understanding of what might happen on the 300 block of 7^th Street before saying yea or nay to re-opening.  If the 300 block remains closed, Eastern Market Manager Barry Margeson has indicated that Eastern Market (under authority granted it to regulate 7^th Street) would call for bids from those interested in programming the block.  (Mike Berman and Carol Wright, who run the Saturday and Sunday flea markets, would certainly be among those bidders.)

The hesitation of the brick and mortar outlets is understandable. First, there is the uncertainty of how the Hine Project retail will regard a row of tents set up in 7^th Street in front of their (likely) high-end retail/food service venues.  Setting up in the middle of the street may not be feasible – the brick and mortars fear the superior clout of the Hine retail will push the tents back on their side of the street.  In addition, there is concern that programming of the block will bring direct competition for their shops – like the Sunday flea market allowing Vigilante Coffee to set up nearly in front of Peregrine.

EMCAC and ANC6B are the government entities which will carry the community commentary to the Department of General Services and the Department of Transportation who will determine whether the street remains closed.  EMCAC will hold a second meeting at 7:00pm on Tuesday, August 15, in the North Hall of Eastern Market.  ANC6B will consider the future of the 300 block of 7th Street, SE, at a special meeting on Tuesday, August 29th, 7:30pm at Hill Center.

The Future of Eastern Market, Part 1.  30 Eastern Market Food Merchants Oppose Closure of 7th Street

by Larry Janezich

Thirty* Eastern Market inside and outside merchants, farmers and food vendors have signed a position paper opposing the weekend closure of 7th Street between North Carolina and Pennsylvania Avenue.

The statement, circulated by Tommy Glasgow of Market Lunch, claims “The road closure has created a real accessibility issue that has had a negative effect on our fresh food sales, is problematic for our farmers, and of great concern to all of us in regards to the long-term viability of the fresh food Market.

We recommend 7th Street be re-opened one-way south bound. The new configuration will save resources, solve many of the Markets access/egress issues, and provide a safer and more enjoyable shopping experience for all visitors, especially those with disabilities.”

Glasgow says, “It’s not so much an issue of whether the street is open or closed, but whether the community wishes to have an old-fashioned food market.”

If the street were reopened, those most affected would be the 36 arts and crafts vendors who set up in 7th Street outside the Market in the 200 block between C Street and North Carolina Avenue.  The 200 block was closed my Mayoral order following the restoration of Eastern Market after the disastrous 2006 fire, to accommodate the arts/crafts vendors and to facilitate access to the Market.  Reopening the street, they say, would put them out of business.  One of the vendors, artist Joe Snyder, says “There would be a lot of people who would lose their livelihood.”  He acknowledges that the vendors could be relocated, “…but not to a place that would enable them to earn a living.”

The supporters of reopening the street to traffic are taking advantage of the timing on the city’s pending decision on whether to reopen the 300 block of 7th Street between C Street and Pennsylvania Avenue to weekend vehicular traffic.  That block was closed to traffic to accommodate the two flea markets which were displaced from the Hine School playground by construction of the Hine project.

Those Saturday and Sunday flea markets in 7^th Street’s 300 block are separate and distinct from the arts and crafts vendors which operate on 7th Street in the 200 block.  The flea markets are operated respectively by Carol Wright and Mike Berman.

Upon completion of the newly reopened C Street between 7th and 8th Street, the two flea markets will move there, under contract with Stanton Eastbanc.  (By an agreement with the city, the street will be private and maintained by Eastbanc, but open to public parking and vehicular traffic unless programmed by Eastbanc for other purposes.)  Eastbanc’s project manager has said that C Street will be finished and ready for the flea markets by September 30.

If C Street is ready for the flea markets by September 30, Berman says that since his contract with the city to operate on 7th Street runs through the end of October, and since he will have two valid contracts, he will continue to use the 7th Street through the end of October, as well as C Street.  “What happens after that,” he says, “depends on (Eastern Market Manager) Barry Margeson.”

Berman says he supports 7th Street remaining closed to traffic and an independent manager to operate there.  Opening the street, he says, will not solve the Eastern Market merchants’ problems and will not provide additional customer parking.

Wright says that her vendors prefer to stay on 7^th Street, but she will move her Saturday operation onto C Street as soon as Eastbanc says that the street is ready for occupancy.  Eastbanc hopes that date will be September 30, but if it slips beyond October 31, both she and Berman will have to go back to the city to extend their 7th Street contract.  Wright wrote a letter to the city saying that she would like to continue to operate on 7th Street, but will do what the community wants – if that is a decision to open 7th Street, she would like to revisit the question in a year.

The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) has called a special meeting for Saturday, August 12, at 3:00pm in the Coldwell Banker training room at 605 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  ANC6B will consider the future of the 300 block of 7th Street, SE, at a special meeting on Tuesday, August 29th, 7:30pm at Hill Center.

Councilmember Charles Allen did not respond to an email asking for comment on this story.

*Blue Iris Flowers, Bowers Fancy Dairy Products, Canales Quality Meats, Capitol Hill Poultry, Eastern Market Grocery,  Fine Sweet Shoppe, Capitol Hill Produce, Southern Maryland Seafood, Union Meat, Market Poultry, The Market Lunch, Buds Creek Farm Agora Farms, Dunham’s Produce, Knopp’s Farms, Long Meadow Farm, Sunnyside Farm, Ashton Farms, Morgals Produce, Gardeners Gourmet, Swiss Peeler, Tony’s Flowers, Ma Browns Baked Goods. Puddin’, She Peppers, Boso Foods, The Freshmobile, The Pretzel Place, Mano de Maiz, Conceptos.